TOPIC

/ location

Iran

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Iran. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Tehran

Head of State

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

Head of Government

President Masoud Pezeshkian

Shop manager Davis Yarber opens up a survival shelter door at the Atlas Survival Shelters factory. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Preparing for the worst? US bunker maker claims big demand in Middle East

Following strikes on regional hubs, Atlas Survival Shelters says demand from Gulf nation clients is at an ‘all-time high’.

8 minutes ago

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks fall as oil once again trades near US$100

54 minutes ago

Singapore

Why Southeast Asia’s small firms could bear the brunt of the latest oil shock

18 minutes agovideocam

North Korea

Iran may team up again with North Korea to defy ‘gangster-like’ US. Here’s why

North Korea has long been suspected of supplying missile technology to Iran and providing technical help on uranium enrichment.

2 hours ago

Damaged buildings following air strikes at the Khorgu missile base on Monday in Khorgu, Iran. Photo: Vantor via AP

China stock market

Chinese firms with success in global push poised to reap profit rewards

High commodity prices also a factor as mainland-listed firms set to continue outperforming Hong Kong peers battered by ‘involution’.

4 hours ago

US, Israel war on Iran

UN Security Council demands Iran halt attacks on Gulf states

The resolution did not mention US or Israeli strikes, prompting Tehran’s ambassador to decry ‘blatant misuse’ of the international body.

4 hours agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran-linked hackers claim attack on US medical tech giant Stryker

Handala claims responsibility for cyberattack, says it is retaliation for US strike on Minab ⁠school that killed dozens.

2 hours agovideocam

Coffins of children who were killed in a strike on a primary school in Iran. Photo: AFP

Nordic nations

Trio with Iraq links arrested for ‘terrorist bombing’ of US embassy in Norway

The siblings are Norwegian citizens, and police are investigating if they were working on their own or on orders from a foreign entity.

12 Mar 2026 - 2:47AM

US, Israel war on Iran

Latest US military warning to civilians highlights Iranian navy outposts

Ongoing investigation also reportedly found US responsible for deadly missile strike on Iranian elementary school on first day of attacks.

3 hours agovideocam

China trade

As Iran war hits trade hubs, China’s logistics firms rush for alternatives

Disrupted Middle East transit routes squeeze sector, pushing freight costs higher and pressuring supply chains.

5 hours agovideocam

About half of China’s oil comes from the Middle East, underscoring the importance of the Strait of Hormuz (pictured, with anchored LPG gas tanker on Wednesday), which also serves as a crucial trade corridor for the country’s exports. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran warns of US$200 oil as countries reach for emergency reserves

US president declares ‘we won’ the war as chaos in the Strait of Hormuz sends shock waves through energy markets.

2 minutes ago

A man walks along the shore as oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates. Photo: AP

Taiwan

How Iran’s strikes on US bases could offer a preview for the Asia-Pacific

Tehran’s retaliation against Washington’s Gulf allies offers lessons for a potential Taiwan conflict, analysts say.

11 Mar 2026 - 10:00PM

Artificial intelligence

China warns US against letting AI ‘determine life and death’ on battlefield

China believes that human primacy must be upheld in military applications of AI, defence ministry spokesman says.

11 Mar 2026 - 11:03PMvideocam

Germany

Germany, Japan to unblock oil reserves as G7 stands ‘ready’ to act

The latest announcement came as G7 leaders were set to discuss the widespread economic fallout from the US-Israeli war with Iran.

11 Mar 2026 - 8:29PMvideocam

Japan

Japan to release oil reserves as early as Monday

It will release 15 days’ worth of private reserves and a month’s worth of national reserves.

11 Mar 2026 - 8:15PMvideocam

A woman walks past a petrol station in Tokyo. Photo: AFP

Science

Chinese firm claims it intercepted B-2 radio signal during US strike on Iran

Defence technology company says its Jingqi monitoring system detected communications after bombing mission.

11 Mar 2026 - 8:00PM

Malaysia

Malaysia tightens borders to fight fuel smuggling amid global energy crisis

The move comes amid concern that rising fuel prices abroad could make it more profitable to smuggle subsidised fuel out of Malaysia.

11 Mar 2026 - 8:07PM

Thailand

Thai navy says cargo ship attacked near Strait of Hormuz

The Thai navy said 20 crew members have been rescued so far.

11 Mar 2026 - 7:08PMvideocam

This handout photo taken on Wednesday and released by the Royal Thai Navy shows smoke rising from the Thai bulk carrier Mayuree Naree near the Strait of Hormuz after an attack. Photo: AFP/Royal Thai Navy

Two Sessions 2026

Why China may gain from US moving military assets for Iran war

‘Any weakening’ of US presence in Asia-Pacific will work to someone’s advantage, ‘and you can imagine who that is’: cross-strait adviser.

11 Mar 2026 - 8:55PMvideocam

Hong Kong property

Hong Kong property could gain as Middle East turmoil reshapes global wealth

Prolonged conflict in the Gulf could shift investor sentiment, though clear evidence of new capital inflows has yet to emerge.

11 Mar 2026 - 5:45PM

Two Sessions 2026

China’s ‘two sessions’ 2026: everything you need to know

From US ties post-Iran to new tech innovation strategies, here is everything you need to know about China’s ongoing ‘two sessions’.

11 Mar 2026 - 4:15PM

Delegates exit the venue after the second plenary meeting of the Fourth Session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) of China in Beijing. Photo: EPA

US, Israel war on Iran

Sowing the seeds of hunger: war on Iran puts Asia’s next harvest at risk

As Gulf gas plants go offline, missing fertiliser shipments today could mean empty shelves and record food prices by autumn.

11 Mar 2026 - 5:52PMvideocam

Farmers sow paddy saplings in a field on the outskirts of Guwahati, India, last month. Photo: AP

US, Israel war on Iran

Mystery surrounds health and whereabouts of Iran’s new supreme leader

Speculation over the health of Mojtaba Khamenei grows amid reports he was wounded in US-Israeli attacks.

11 Mar 2026 - 8:33PMvideocam

SCMP Highlights

Iran war shows US defence gaps; professor returns to China: 7 science highlights

From creating a bamboo-winged drone to efforts in “taming” typhoons, here are some highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting.

11 Mar 2026 - 3:30PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Pakistan says ‘no question’ it will rush to Saudi Arabia’s defence in Iran war

Saudi Arabia and nuclear-armed Pakistan, which shares a border with Iran, signed a security pact in September last year.

11 Mar 2026 - 2:54PM

A satellite image shows the damage sustained at Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura oil refinery after a drone attack on March 2. Photo: Vantor/AP

US, Israel war on Iran

Rules-based order on trial in Europe as Iran war deepens divide

EU leaders have clashed over whether the bloc should still be bound by global norms as Mideast conflict reshapes the geopolitical landscape.

11 Mar 2026 - 1:59PMvideocam

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Europe could “no longer be a custodian for the old-world order”. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Is Iran’s vital oil hub Kharg Island in America’s crosshairs?

The island, located around 30km off the Iranian mainland, handles roughly 90 per cent of Iran’s crude exports.

11 Mar 2026 - 1:23PMvideocam

Sri Lanka

What happens to the Iranian sailors stranded in Sri Lanka?

The sinking of an Iranian frigate and a leaked US cable have dragged the debt-burdened South Asian nation into a Middle Eastern conflict.

11 Mar 2026 - 12:33PM

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW